Celebrating Russia (host of the 2014 Olympics)

Today’s 44 was fun even though I look like a total dork!!!  I did a roundhouse with a back fist.

I did all 44 on my right side and then switched to the left for another set.  This got my heart rate up and worked my butt and core!!!

I didn’t do Michelle Bridges today – I’m going to keep doing the program but not 6 days a week – it is too hard to balance those workouts with my running so I’m going to mix them in a little differently this week and see how it goes.

Screen Shot 2014-02-10 at 6.54.33 AMThe Olympics have always been one of my favorite times – I like the summer ones more but still enjoy watching as much of the winter ones as possible!!!

We decided that we should have a Russian meal to celebrate the host country of these Olympic games.  Good thing we have such a great resource with the internet!!!

Crock Pot cabbage rolls
Crock Pot cabbage rolls

For the main dish I made cabbage rolls (in the crock pot!!) – I used ground beef and brown rice as the filler.  The boys liked this – I think next time I won’t boil that cabbage first since it cooked even more in the crock pot.

Zucchini pancackes
Zucchini pancakes

As a side dish, we made zucchini pancakes.  This is the first time that I’ve ever tried a savory pancake and these were really good!!!  Might have to make them again!!!

Russian Tea Cakes
Russian Tea Cakes

And, I’ve said many times that I don’t bake but I felt like a Russian meal wouldn’t be complete without Russian Tea Cakes.  Surprisingly, these came out OK!!!

ready to eat Russian style!
ready to eat Russian style!

Of course, since we had a Russian meal there had to be a bit of Vodka!  We weren’t going to do straight vodka shots though!!!

Chocolate Cake Vodka
Chocolate Cake Vodka

Can’t do the Russian thing without a bit of Vodka even if it is in the form of chocolate cake!!!

Cheers
Cheers

(no vodka for the boys!!)

Hunter decided to make a sandwich with a couple of the pancakes and his cabbage roll-up.

sandwich style
sandwich style

This was a fun way to “travel” to Russia and also to try some new (to us) dishes!!!

Did you watch the Opening Ceremony Friday night?
Summer or winter Olympics?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

 

The Gift of a New Day

Today for my 44 I decided to take a move that I’ve done on the floor and do it on a stability ball.  I started in plank – 

start
start

From here I did alternating lunges –

right
right
back to plank
back to plank
left lunge
left lunge

Not gonna lie – holding plank on the ball was a challenge and then doing a total of 44 lunges with each leg – HARD!!!!

Since today was a day off with the Michelle Bridges program, I did one of my all-time favorites – Les Mills Pump – Combat.  I love this workout!!!  45 minutes of punching and kicking that goes by so quickly and  I always feel like I got a good workout afterwards!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-09 at 9.25.56 AM

 

This morning I realized that I need to get back to waking up and being excited for the day ahead instead of being so consumed by my To-Do list.  I need to appreciate the beauty that I have every morning when I wake up and have an entire day ahead of me to use however I want.

Screen Shot 2014-02-09 at 9.25.37 AMEach day is like a gift – a clean slate full of hours to use any way we choose!!!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-09 at 9.24.59 AMI am choosing to close out each day at the end of it and start fresh each morning!  Instead of carrying things over from the previous day, each morning will be a completely fresh start!!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-09 at 9.28.39 AM

 

I think that far to often I go to bed feeling like I didn’t accomplish enough or that I wasted time and then I wake up feeling the same way and it sets a negative tone for the entire day.  However, I’m choosing to focus on the beauty and newness of each day and let go of the mistakes from the day before!!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-09 at 9.27.55 AMWhat a great idea – don’t count the days and don’t dread the days!!!  

Make each day count because it really is a gift!!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-09 at 9.26.16 AMIt truly is a new day which means the possibilities are only limited by the choices I make.

Today (and each new today), I choose to start fresh and live the day to the max – enjoying each new exciting challenge that comes my way!!!  Bring it!!!

Happy Sunday!!!  It’s a new day!!!

Kim

The Balance to My Crazy

For my 44 today I decided to do an Olympic inspired move!!  We were watching the men’s 5000 earlier and so I decided to be a skater, too.  (minus the ice and skates!!!)

I counted a right and left as 1 rep and this move went quickly.  Fun way to get my heart rate up a bit.

I haven’t been talking about my workouts a whole lot lately because it is pretty repetitive – Michelle Bridges and running!!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-08 at 8.37.23 AM

 

Over the past few weeks I’ve mentioned a time or 100 that I’m a bit stressed these days.  And the whole stolen identity didn’t help!!!  

Yesterday morning was one of those times that it all seemed to be spiraling out of control.  It didn’t help that I had been awake most of the night feeling sick so I wasn’t 100% but I also wasn’t sick.  I think it is just stress spiraling out of control!

Screen Shot 2014-02-08 at 8.43.17 AMThankfully, for all of my stress and craziness, I have Chris to keep me grounded.  The things that bug me don’t seem to phase him as much.

He has always said he’s Teflon Turner – 

Screen Shot 2014-02-08 at 8.46.03 AMand that things just slide off him.  It doesn’t mean he doesn’t care – he just knows how to let the little things go and do what needs to be done without going BAT-SHIT CRAZY!!!

I might never be Teflon and things might never slide off me like they do Chris but I’m going to try a little harder to just roll with things!

What about you – are you the Teflon kind or more like me where everything piles up?

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

 

Someone Stole My Identity

Today’s 44 sort of reminded me of my track days – I did a knee up with a little twist to that side.Screen Shot 2014-02-07 at 7.30.29 AM

Obviously not me but I needed the beach picture!!!  I did all 44 with my right knee up and then switched to the left side.

Screen Shot 2014-02-07 at 7.30.45 AM

Still not me but this picture is pretty accurate for how the move looked (minus the fact that this is a guy!) – almost a bounce each time you lift the knee – plus he’s on a track!!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-07 at 7.39.07 AMSo, this week I have spent hours on the phone because someone stole my identity.  It is a little creepy to know that someone knows things they shouldn’t about me.

Screen Shot 2014-02-07 at 7.34.33 AMThis person knows my Social Security number – he/she has opened up at least one new account using it.

They know my home address (this one really freaks me out!) – the new account they opened is using my address.

They have used other accounts of mine by walking into the store and having the someone look up the card number – in one case the store worker even changed the ID to theirs.

Screen Shot 2014-02-07 at 7.33.28 AMAll of these things happened in Florida in about a  one week period.  (unless there is more that I don’t know about yet)

I have filed a police report, cancelled credit cards, called about my social security card, put a fraud alert on my credit.  One of the worst parts is that many of the people I’ve had to talk to on the phone act like this is my fault.

Screen Shot 2014-02-07 at 7.49.41 AM

Needless to say, this has been a very frustrating week and I’m sure it will continue to be a stressful process.  Sort of scary because you never really think about something like this until it happens to you.  I truly hope that none of you ever have to deal with this!!!

Happy Friday!

Kim

BTW – since it is Friday and therefor supposed to be fun, if you missed this FUN post yesterday over at Cranky Fitness head over and see how you can mix exercise and wine!!!

No Room for Drama

If you don’t already read Cranky Fitness (WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!  Just kidding – sort of) – you should head over today.  Awhile back she mentioned a fun idea for a post and today is the day!!!  Hint, it involves fitness and wine!!!

Today’s 44 is another move from Nellie (Brooklyn Active Mama) and her Weekly Wednesday workouts – cross crunches.  

gearing up
gearing up
crunch
crunch
extend leg
extend leg

I did make one small change to make it a little bit harder – I did all 44 to one side but instead of tapping my foot down each time, I extended the leg, keeping it off the ground.  After the first set of 44, I switched sides and did some more!

crunch
crunch
extend
extend

This was a great way to really work my obliques!!!

I did another day with Michelle Bridges – I’m hoping to get a run in after I take the boys to school.

Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 6.46.19 AMI guess I was fortunate in high school to get out without any major drama – mostly because I hung out with guys a lot of the time.  I was a total nerd and other than running track, I didn’t participate in many activities.

I feel like I have experienced far more drama since becoming a mom (and it isn’t from my kids).  I don’t get it – there are so many negative things surrounding all of us every day – why can’t we all just get along?!

Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 6.49.50 AM

I think that FaceBook can be a great thing – I don’t tend to use it much but I love the fact that I can keep up with people from high school, college and other times in my life even though we live far apart.

What I don’t like about FaceBook is all the drama!!!

Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 6.50.44 AM

Snarky comments, unfriending  and the gossip.  Sometimes following a strand of comments is entertaining but other times I feel really bad when I read it and see some of the comments.

Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 7.02.44 AM

 

If you are reading this and wondering if I’m talking about someone specific, the answer is NO!!!  This is just something that has bugged me for years and years – the drama and snide comments  that I see all the time even among friends.

I know that I am FAR from perfect and say things that might be misinterpreted but my intention is never to start something or stir up trouble.  Really I just like to float along in my fantasy world where everything is nice and everyone gets along!!!

How do you deal with adult drama?

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim